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THE FIRST MONITOR. 



A BRIEF SKETCH 



The First Monitor 



AND ITS INVENTOR 



A PAPER READ BEFORE THE 



BUFFALO HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 



JANUARY 5, 1874. 

By E B E n!^'p . DORR 



PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.- SECOND EDITION. 



BUFFALO, N. Y. 

PRINTING HOUSE OF MATTHEWS & WARREN, 
Office of the "Buffalo Coniiterciai Advertiser." 

1874. 




^ 



THE FIRST MONITOR. 



Mr. President and Geutlenien of the Buffalo Historieal Soeiety : 

For the paper I am to read to-night I do not claim any 
literary merit. It is simply a mass of facts, connected with 
my subject, never presented by any other person, so far as 
I know. I have gathered the information principally from 
persons connected with and participating in the acts and 
scenes described ; and shall endeavour to give them to you 
to-night, in my simple way, in connection with the illustrations 
here for that purpose, to show you the origin of the first 
" Monitor " and her subsequent career, down to the time of 
her being lost by foundering off Cape Hatteras. 

In the progressive world at the present era, with the improve- 
ments that have been made in almost everything, and the great 
events that have crowded so thick and fast upon us for the past 
few years, there has been but little time to consider one idea, 
before another, often more startling than the other, has taken 
its place and the first is almost forgotten. This is especially 
true of this country. The Americans are in many respects a 
peculiar people ; earnest, active, versatile ; a moving, changing 
race ; one sensation succeeding another in rapid succession. In 
no way has this been better illustrated than in the events that 
transpired during the late civil war. Coming upon us unex- 
pectedly, and without preparation on the part of the North, 
the emergency had to be met, with an almost daily renewal 
of tact and invention on our part. 

Among the great and stirring events of the war, none perhaps 
created more interest for the time bein"" than the advent of the 



" Monitor." Certainly nothing occurred during the war that 
exercised such a vast influence upon its ultimate results. What 
the battle of Gettysburg was to the Army at a later day, the 
fight between the " Monitor " and the " Merrimac " was to the 
Navy ; both were turning points in the Rebellion. Under the 
gallant WORDEN the "Monitor" in 1862 fixed the boundaries 
of Rebellion by water at Hampton Roads ; sixteen months 
later, the brave but now lamented Meade, on the well-fought 
and bloody field of Gettysburg, with the chivalrous, often- 
whipped but never-daunted Army of the Potomac, fixed its 
boundaries by land beyond Pennsylvania. Both battles said to 
Rebellion, " Thus far .shalt thou go, but no further ; " removing 
the theatre of its action back upon the territory that originated 
it, and in the end crushing it forever. 

In my opinion the people of this country have never attached 
sufficient importance to the advent and services of the first 
" Monitor," and the grand part she performed in the war, at an 
important crisis, when our very existence hung as it were upon 
a thread. 

This much, Mr. President, by way of preface to my subject, 
" The First Monitor." 

" Monitor : One who warns of faults, or informs of duty. One who 
gives advice and instruction by way of reproof or caution." 

After I had thus transcribed Webster's definition of the word 
" Monitor," I wrote to Mr. Ericsson, the inventor, asking him 
why his vessel was named " Monitor." He sent me in reply a 
copy of a letter he had written in answer to a request from the 
Navy Department to provide a name for his new invention, 
which I will give you in due order. First, however, I will read 
a copy of the contract to build the " Monitor," taken from a 
photographic copy, now in my possession, of the original 
contract, as executed by Messrs. Ericsson, Griswold and Wins- 
low on one part, and Mr. Thos. F. Rowland on the other. 
Mr. C. S. Bushnell, of New Haven, was an associate con- 
tractor with Messrs. Ericsson, Griswold and Winslow, although 
his name does not appear on the original contract. 



COPY OF CONTRACT. 

This Agreement, made and entered into this twenty-fifth day of 
October, A. D. 1861, by and between Thomas F. Rowland, agent in 
behalf of the " Continental Iron Works," Green Point, Brooklyn, of 
the first part, and Capt. J. Ericsson of New York, Messrs. John F. 
Winslow and John A. Griswold of Troy, N. Y., and C. S. Bushnell of 
New Haven, Conn., parties of the second part. 

Witncsseth : That the party of the first part for and in consideration 
of a certain sum hereinafter mentioned to be paid to him, by the parties 
of the second part, hereby covenants and agrees to furnish all the tools 
and facilities, and do all the labor necessary to execute the iron work of 
an Iron Battery Hull (it being understood that the new ship house now 
being erected is at the expense of the parties of the second part), said 
battery to be constructed from the plans and directions which have 
been or may be furnished the said party of the first part, by Captain 
Ericsson. 

The party of the first part hereby further agrees to do the said work 
in a thorough and workmanlike manner, and to the entire satisfaction 
of Captain Ericsson, in the shortest possible space of time. And the 
party of the first part agrees to launch said battery safely and at his 
own risk and cost on the East River, then and there delivering her to 
the parties of the second part. 

It is also understood that in consideration of the liberal price herein- 
after stipulated to be paid by the party of the second part, that in case 
the work is not prosecuted with all the vigor and energy practicable, 
then and in that case Captain Ericsson is hereby empowered to instruct 
the party of the first part to employ a greater number of men or to 
work a greater number of hours, and which instruction the party of the 
first part hereby agrees to comply with in order that the work may be^ 
completed in the shortest possible space of time, as contemplated by 
this agreement. 

The party of the second part hereby agrees to furnish all the mate- 
rial for the construction of said battery, delivering the same at the 
" Continental Iron Works " as soon as practicable, after receiving a 
specification of the materials required for the construction of said 
battery. 

In consideration of the full and faithful performance of these presents 
by the party of the first part, the parties of the second part hereby 
covenant and agree to pay the party of the first part the sum of seven 
and one-half cents per pound (net weight) of iron used in the construc- 
tion of said hull by the party of the first part. 



Payments to be made weekly in proportion to the progress of the 
work ; the balance remaining to be paid when the hull is launched. 

The parties to this instrument hereby mutually agree, that should 
any alterations in the plan furnished by Captain Ericsson be desired 
after the same have been executed, the party of the first part shall make 
any alterations that may be deemed desirable by Captain Ericsson at 
the expense of the parties of the second part. 

Wifficss, the hands and seals of the said parties the day and year 
before written. 

Witness to the signature of j. a 
Ericsson, ' [ J- ERICSSON. [l. s.] 

C. W. MacCord. J 

Witness to the signatures of J. -^ J. F. WINSEOW. [l. s 

F. Winslow and J. A. Griswold, 



F. Eus. j JNO. A. GRISWOLD. [l. s.] 

Witness to the signature of T..~j 
F. Rowland, V T. F. ROWLAND. [l. s.] 

Warren E. Hill. J 

The above contract with Mr. Rowland was based on one 
previously made by Messrs. Ericsson, Griswold, Winslow and 
Bushnell with the United States Government. 

The hull of the "Monitor" was built by Mr. Rowland, from 
Capt. Ericsson's drawings and under his personal supervision, 
the materials (plates, bars, rivets, etc.) being furnished by his 
associates, Messrs. Griswold, Winslow and Bushnell. The turret 
was built at the Novelty Iron Works, according to his plans and 
under his sui)ervision, with plates, rivets, etc., furnished by his 
associates. Being too heavy for transportation, it was taken 
down and placed in sections on the deck of a vessel, Mr. 
Rowland's men being employed to rivet the plates. The 
"port-stoppers' of the "Monitor" were made at the Steam 
Forge of Mr. Charles D. DeLaney, here, in Buffalo. They were 
made of heavy hammered wrought iron. After the guns were 
discharged and ran back into the turret, the "stoppers" swung 
over the port-holes of the turret, so as to prevent any shot 
from an enemy's ship from entering the port. The closing, 
regulated by machinery, was instantaneous, and that side of 
the turret swung away from the enemy ; guns loaded, and 



again swung, and guns discharged, so that the ports were con- 
stantly protected, either by the guns obtruding or by the ports 
closed by the " stoppers." 

Mr. DeLane}^ did a good deal of forging work for the 
Monitors subsequently built, obtained through Mr. Allan C. 
Stimers, Chief Engineer U. S. N., who had supervision of many 
of them. 

The entire internal mechanism of the turret was built to 
Captain Ericsson's working plans, at the Delamater Iron 
Works, and put in place by Delamater's machinists. The 
steam machinery, boilers, propellers, etc., also designed by 
him, were likewise built at the Delamater Iron Works and 
put on board the vessel by Delamater's machinists. The 
wooden deck beams, side armor, timbers and decks were put 
up by Mr. Rowland, and the entire deck plating and side 
armor (furnished by Ericsson's associates) were attached by 
Rowland's men. 

The mode of launching was planned by Mr. Rowland, evinc- 
ing his great skill and experience. To prevent the vessel, when 
fully equipped with machinery, turret and armor, from plunging 
under water, Mr. Rowland constructed large wooden tanks, 
securing them under the stern. The launch, effected under his 
supervision, proved very successful. 

Extraordinary diligence was displayed alike by Mr. Rowland, 
Mr. Delamater and the Novelty Iron Works. They all received 
payments in cash as the work progressed. The result of their 
joint efforts was that, within one hundred days from laying the 
keel plates of the hull, the whole work was completed and the 
engines of the vessel put in motion under steam ; probably the 
most expeditious work recorded in the annals of mechanical 
engineering. 

The " Monitor " was launched on the 30th day of January, 
1862, and her first trial trip and delivery to the Navy Yard 
was on February 19th, 1862. She had two trial trips after- 
wards, but was not in commission on her first trial trip, nor for 
some time — perhaps a week— afterwards. Captain Ericsson 



lO 

attended that trip. The vessel did not then attain the speed 
she did afterwards, because the cut-ofif valves had been set for 
running the engines backward, and would not admit the steam 
properly to the cylinders when going ahead. On the second 
trial trip, she was in commission under command of Lieut. 
Worden ; but she could not be steered, and went no farther 
than the foot of Wall Street, New York. On the third trial 
trip, which occurred about March 4th, she went down to 
Sandy Hook and tried her guns, having a board of officers, 
consisting of Commodore Gregory, Chief Engineer Garvin and 
Constructor Hart, who reported favorably of her performance. 

It should be stated here that when Captain Ericsson signed 
the contract with the Secretary of the Navy to furnish the 
turreted vessel (scarcely a week before laying the keel plates) 
he had completed only a small portion of the working draw- 
ings. Accordingly he had to make these during the stipulated 
one hundred days, preparing his plans and giving daily super- 
vision to the work. His contract with the Government con- 
tained a distinct proviso that the entire structure should prove 
successful in practical operation, before the final payment ; 
and in case of failure, himself and associates were liable to the 
Government for the entire amount advanced to them. 

At this point it may be proper to state the origin of my 
interest in, and acquaintance with, " The First Monitor." A 
sailor in my early boyhood, and having been subsequently, 
in one way or another, always connected with ships and vessels, 
it has ever been my pleasure to examine, when in seaport 
towns, everything relating to ships and ship building. It has 
been my custom for many years, on my visits to New York 
City, to walk along the docks and to go into the ship-yards 
of that great commercial city. Walking down Twenty-third 
street one morning in the Winter of 186 1-2, striking the East 
River and crossing" over on the ferry-boat, a few minutes 
brought me to the Continental Iron Works, and without any 
knowledge of what was to be seen in the yard, I came upon 
what was afterwards known as the " Monitor," a name that 



II 

was destined to electrify not only the American people but 
the whole civilized world. Before me were the first forgings 
of the iron foundation of this wonderful ship. That exami- 
nation only stimulated me with a desire to know more of 
her, as the work progressed. My visits were so frequent, and 
my attention so close, that it excited the curiosity of one 
person, who was always there when I was. We were strangers, 
but one day he asked me my name, and my business there 
so often. In turn, Yankee like, I asked him the same ques- 
tion, and thus became acquainted with Thomas F. Rowland, 
proprietor of the Continental Iron Works, and builder of the 
first " Monitor." 

And this was the way that he became the builder : The 
Continental Iron Works had been leased to two young men* 
who had not made a success of the business, and one of whom 
was young Tom Rowland. The firm had been dissolved, and 
Rowland was asked by the kind-hearted owner, who wished to 
aid and encourage him, to take the Works and run them a year 
and see what he could make out of them. There he was, young 
Master Rowland, ready for work, and waiting like Micawber for 
something to turn up, when, one day, some gentlemen came 
into his Works looking around " to see what they could see," 
and, meeting Rowland, asked him what he would charge them 
a pound to build an iron ship, describing what they wanted 
as best they could. Rowland, who had never thought of the 
subject before, asked them what they expected to get it done 
for. His idea was to draw them out, to learn something of 
what was wanted and the price to be paid. After an inter- 
change of views in this way, the strangers gave " four or four- 
and-a-half cents per pound " as the utmost price ; they separated, 
neither party much the wiser for the interview. Those gentle- 
men were Messrs. Winslow and Griswold of Troy, and Mr. 
Bushnell of New Haven (whose names appear in the con- 
tract), self-made men, by honest, persistent, well-directed eftbrt. 
Rich in this world's goods, but richer still in their great and 
noble natures, they wished to aid the great Ericsson with his 



12 

invention, and were filled with patriotic anxiety for their 
country in her darkest hour, when she needed all possible 
aid to avert the impending downfall and ruin threatened by 
fratricidal strife. These were the men who furnished the 
means to build " the first Monitor." 

Now let us look at another scene : In a room in New York 
City, with head and body bent over a drawing-table, surrounded 
by his papers and professional implements, was another person, 
the great Swede, Ericsson, plodding over his day and night 
dream, this iron-turreted Monitor ; the man who first conceived 
the idea of building an iron-clad armored fighting ship of war 
that would be invulnerable. That Ericsson alone did this, long 
before it entered the head of any other person, is a fact well 
known to the civilized world. 

The day following the visit of Messrs. Griswold, Winslow 
and Bushnell to Green Point, a message from the great naval 
architect, to whom the talent and ability of Tom Rowland was 
not unknown, brought him into Ericsson's presence at the 
latter's office. Just raising his head from the table, and 
casting his eye towards the door to know his visitor, and 
resuming his labor on the instant, not losing a moment from 
his great task, Ericsson said : " Tom, my boy, what are you 
going to charge me to build my iron ship t " Thinking of his 
interview of yesterday with the other parties, Tom answers at 
a venture, "Nine, cents a pound." "Tut, tut, Tom!" cried 
Ericsson, his brain and hands still working on the problem 
before him, " it must be done for seven-and-a-half cents." And 
the trade was closed at that figure. 

Now, gentlemen, here they are before you, the men who 
created this iron ship of war : Ericsson the inventor ; Griswold, 
Winslow and Bushnell who furnished the means ; with Rowland 
the builder : a ship of iron impregnability, that was to change 
the system of the naval warfare of the world. Let us here 
pause a moment to dwell on the foremost character. 

J'ohn Ericsson was born in the Province of Vermland, in Swe- 
flen, on July 31st, 1803. Entered the Corps of Engineers of the 



13 

Royal Swedish Navy in 1815, as cadet. In 18 19 he entered 
the Swedish Army and served under Bernadotte (Charles XIV.) 
during eight years, resigning his commission with the rank of 
Captain in 1827. Captain Ericsson is Chevaher of the Swedish 
Order of Vasa, and Knight Commander with the Grand Cross. 
He is Knight Commander of the Norwegian Order of Sanet 
Olaf, Knight Commander of the Danish Order of Dannebrog, 
first class, and Knight Commander of the Spanish Order of 
Isabella Catolica. He has also received the Rumford Medal, 
the great Gold Medal of the Mechanics' Institute of New York, 
the Medal of the Society of Arts in London, and several prize 
medals on both sides of the Atlantic. He is Doctor of Philoso- 
phy of the Royal University of Lund, in Sweden, Member of 
the Royal Academy of Sciences at Stockholm, Honorary Mem- 
ber of the Royal Academy of Military Sciences of Sweden, and 
member of many other scientific bodies in this country and in 
Europe, having likewise received the distinction of LL.D. from" 
an American University. 

For a while previous to 1839, Captain Ericsson was superin- 
tending Engineer in London of the Eastern Counties Railway, 
one of the principal lines centering in the British metropolis. 
He resigned that position and came to America under an 
arrangement with certain parties in this country to plan and 
superintend the construction of the machinery and armament 
of the U. S. steamship " Princeton." He landed at New York 
November 23d, 1839. His history for many years past is so 
well known, that it is needless here to recapitulate the details. 
For some time previous to 1854 his mind had dwelt upon the 
idea of planning and constructing an iron-plated shot-proof ship 
of war, and on the 26th of September, 1854, Captain Ericsson 
forwarded from New York to the Emperor Napoleon III. a 
plan of such a ship, with the following synopsis of his plans, 
showing conclusively, beyond all cavil, that America was the 
birth-place of the Monitor, and that John Ericsson was its sole 
inventor : 



14 

EXTRACT. 

New System of Naval x\ttack. — The vessel to be composed 
entirely of iron. The midship section is triangular, with a broad, 
hollow keel, loaded to balance the heavy upper works. The ends of 
the vessel are moderately sharp. The deck, made of plate ironf is 
curved both longitudinally and transversely with a spring of five feet ; 
it is made to project eight feet over the rudder and propeller. 'The 
entire deck is covered with a lining of sheet iron, three inches thick, 
with an opening in the center sixteen feet diameter. This opening is 
covered by a semi-globular turret of plate iron, six inches thick, revolv- 
ing on a column and pivot by means of steam power and appropriate 
gear work. The vessel is propelled by a powerful steam engine, and 
screiv propeller. Air for the combustion in the boilers, and for ventilation 
within the vessel, is supplied by a large self-acting centrifugal blower, 
the fresh air being drawn in through numerous small holes in the turret. 
The products of the combustion and impure air from the vessel is forced 
out through conductors leading to a cluster of small holes in the deck 
and turret. Surrounding objects are viewed through small holes at 
appropriate places. Reflecting telescopes, capable of being protruded 
or withdrawn at pleasure, also afford a distinct view of surrounding 
objects. The rudder stock passes through a water-tight stuffing box, so 
as to admit of the helm being worked within the vessel. Shot striking 
the deck are deflected, whilst shell exploding on it will prove harmless. 
Shot (of cast iron) striking the globular turret will crumble to pieces or 
are deflected. This neiv system of naval attack iv ill place an entire fleet of 
sailing ships, during calms and light winds, at the mercy of a single craft* 

Boarding as a means of defence, will be impracticable, since the 
turret guns, which turn like the spokes in a wheel, commanding every 
point of the compass at once, may keep off and destroy any number of 
boats by firing slugs and combustibles. 

A fleet at anchor might be fired and put in a sinking condition before 
enabled to get under way. Of what avail would be the " Steam Guard 
Ships '■ if attacked on the new system ? Alas, for the " wooden walls " 
that formerly ruled the waves ! 

The long range Lancaster gun would scarcely hit the revolving iron 
turret once in six hours, and then, six chances to one, its shot or shell 
would be deflected by the varying angles of the face of the impregnable 
globe. When ultimately struck at right angles, the globe, which weighs 
upwards of forty tons, will be less affected by the shock than a heavy 
anvil by the blow of a light hammer ; consequently, the shot would 

'■'How prophetic 1 — E. P. D. 



15 

crumble to pieces, whilst the shell would strew the arched deck with 
harmless fragments. 

During contest the revolving turret should be kept in motion, the 
port-holes being turned away from the opponent, except at the moment 
of discharge, which, however, should be made during full rotation, as 
the lateral aim in close quarters requires but little precision. 

I would call your attention to the framed copy of the above 
described Ericsson's model of 1854. And please note how well 
the " Monitor " at Hampton Roads filled the predictions put 
forth at this time by Captain Ericsson ! 

Ericsson's letter was at once acknowledged by the Emperor, 
but, luckily for America, Napoleon did not embrace the oppor- 
tunity of adopting for France, what, at a later day, at a most 
opportune moment, the great naval architect had the pleasure to 
first construct and put in use for the protection of his adopted 
country. All honor to the name of Ericsson ! He will be 
remembered with gratitude in all coming time. In all naval 
history his name will be known as that of the greatest inventor 
and reformer in naval warfare that ever lived. 

The trials and troubles Mr. Ericsson experienced, even with 
the aid of Bushnell, Winslow^ and Griswold, to get his " Monitor" 
adopted by the Government, no one but himself and associates 
can ever know. But by the individual, persevering efforts of the 
great inventor, with the assistance of these good friends, and 
guided by the great Director of all things, it was finally accom- 
plished, just in time to save this nation. 

Now I will give you the promised letter, explaining why 
Ericsson gave his ship the name " Monitor." 

(copy.) 

New York, Jan. 20th, 1862. 

Sir, — In accordance with your request, I now submit for your 
approbation a name for the floating battery at Green Point. 

The impregnable and aggressive character of this structure will 
admonish the leaders of the Southern Rebellion that the batteries on 
the banks of their rivers will no longer present barriers to the entrance 
of the Union forces. 



i6 

The iron-clad intruder will thus prove a severe monitor to those 
leaders. But there are other leaders who will also be startled and 
admonished by the booming of the guns from the impregnable iron 
turret. " Downing Street " will hardly view with indifference this last 
" Yankee notion," this monitor. To the Lords of the Admiralty the new 
craft will be a monitor, suggesting doubts as to the propriety of com- 
pleting those four steel-clad ships at three-and-a-half millions a piece. 

On these and many similar grounds I propose to name the new 
battery " Monitor." 

Your obedient servant, J. ERICSSON. 

To GuSTAVUS V. Fox, Ass't Sec'y of the Navy. 

The "Monitor" was wanted quickly; there was not a minute to 
lose. All the force that could work on her was employed ; night 
and day the work was driven. The plans and designs were 
worked up and applied as fast as the material could be procured 
and formed. Not a moment too soon was she completed and 
hurried off. After two very slight trial trips to sea, she was on 
her great mission to Fortress Monroe, in which vicinity she was 
so much needed. 

The manning of the " Monitor" with her crew was, to me, one 
of the most interesting events connected with this wonderful 
craft. Here was a hitherto unknown and untried vessel, with 
all but a small portion of her below the water, — not floating 
upon the water as other vessels were supposed to do, but nearly 
submerged, — her crew to live, if live they could, below the sur- 
face ; the ocean beating with its wild and restless waves right 
over their heads. There was something calmly and terribly 
heroic in the act of manning this iron cofifin-like ship. L.et me 
give you the history of furnishing her with a crew. 

Lieutenant Worden, U. S. N., was ordered to command her. 
When she was nearly ready for commission, he was authorized 
by the Navy Department to select a crew from the receiving 
ship " North Carolina," or any other vessel of war in the harbor of 
New York. Under that authority he asked for volunteers from 
the " North Carolina " and frigate " Sabine." After stating fully 
to the crews of these vessels the probable dangers of the passage 
to Hampton Roads, and the certainty of having important 



services to perform there, he had many more volunteers thah 
was required. From them he selected a crew, and a better one, 
he said, no naval commander ever had the honor to command. 

History ought to preserve the names of the gallant men who 
voluntarily stepped out, and asked to be permitted to serve 
their country in her hour of greatest need, by going on board 
— no ! not " on board " ship, as it is usually termed, but into 
this almost hermetically-sealed unknown ship, shut out from the 
light of God's sun and from the air above the sea, depending 
entirely upon artificial means to supply the air to breathe, to 
sustain life. A failure of the machinery to do this when in 
rough water was almost certain and speedy death. You will 
see how near it came to that, on her first passage from New 
York. 

In the sinking of the English troop ship off the Cape of Good 
Hope, we read what discipline and training will do with brave 
men in imminent peril, when facing apparent instant death. The 
men were ordered to "fall in," stepping out in full dress, arms in 
hand, forming in line as though at dress parade upon the deck 
of the sinking ship, going down at their posts without breaking 
ranks. And we read of the gallant sentry on the sinking 
" Oneida," who would not leave his post until the order came 
from the corporal relieving him. No order came, and he went 
down with the ship, sacrificing his life to discipline and duty. 

History furnishes many similar cases of heroic men, who have 
deemed the higher order of duty and self-sacrificing principle 
superior to their love of life. But to me, these men, comfor- 
tably housed on the receiving ship, volunteering for this special 
dangerous and unknown service, afford an example of patriotic 
devotion far superior to the above cases. 

For the officers that manned the " Monitor" let me say : they 
showed what routine discipline, as taught in our National Naval 
School, will do for the Navy; just as West Point has done 
for the Army. (I say this without a word of disparagement 
or detraction of services of our gallant volunteers of the Navy 
or Army.) Their action teaches us that knowledge is power. 
They go where duty calls them, quietly, without a murmur. 



The whole record of the Rebellion, on both sides, is full of a 
perfect vindication of the great value of both of these cherished 
institutions. 

Lieutenant Worden was ordered to command the "Monitor" 
on January 13th, 1862, when she was still on the stocks. Prior 
to that date, Lieutenant S. D. Greene had interested himself in 
her, and thoroughly examined her construction, design, and 
qualities. Notwithstanding the many gloomy predictions of 
naval officers, and officers of the mercantile marine, as to the 
great probability of her sinking at sea, Greene volunteered to 
go in her, and, at Worden's request, he was directed to do so. 
From the date of his orders he applied himself unremittingly 
and intelligently to the study of the " Monitor's " peculiar 
requirements, and to her fitting and equipment. She was put 
in commission early in February, 1862, and from that time until 
her day of sailing. Commander Worden, Lieutenant Greene 
and all the officers and crew displayed untiring energy and zeal 
in getting her ready, and in the conduct of the several trials of 
her engines, turret machinery, etc. The "Monitor" was finished 
on February .20th, 1862, and Commander Worden received his 
sailing orders as follows : 

ORDERS FOR THE " MONITOR" TO PROCEED TO HAMPTON ROADS, VA. 

Navy Department, February 20th, 1862. 

Sir, — Proceed with the U. S. steamer "Monitor" under your com- 
mand to Hampton Roads, Va., and on your arrival there, report by 
letter to the Department. 

Commodore Paulding has been instructed to charter a vessel to 
accompany the " Monitor," provided none of our vessels are going 
South about the time she sails. 

Transmit to the Department a muster roll of the crew and a separate 
list of the officers of the " Monitor," before sailing from New York. 
I am respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed) GIDEON WELLES. 

To Lieut. John L. Worden, U. S. N., 

Commanding U. S. Iron Clad Steamer " Monitor," New York. 

He hastened with all due diligence to get ready, but some- 
thing about the steering apparatus, and other matters, detained 



19 

him from going to sea for some days. On the 4th of March, he 
received orders from the officer commanding the Navy Yard at 
New York, which read as follows : 

Navy Yard, New York, March 4th, 1862. 
Lieut. Commanding 'loYi^ L. Worden, U. S. Str. ^^ Monitor:" 

Sir, — When the weather permits, you will proceed with the " Mon- 
itor" under your command to Hampton Roads, and on your arrival 
report to the Senior Naval Officer there. 

I have hired the steamer " James Freeborn " to tow the " Monitor," 
and have also directed the propellers ''Sachem" and "Currituck" to 
attend on you to the mouth of the Chesapeake. If it should be 
necessary to retain them longer, you are authorized to do so. 

When you shall have no further use or occasion for the " Freeborn," 
be pleased to give the Captain a certificate, with directions to return 
to New York, and immediately on his arrival report to me. 

Wishing you a safe and successful passage, 

I am, respectfully, your ob'd't servant, 

H. PAULDING, 

Conwiander. 

The "Monitor" left the Lower Bay of New York on the after- 
noon of the 6th day of March, 1862, with a moderate wind from 
the westward and smooth sea, in tow of a small tug, the " Seth 
Low," and accompanied by the U. S. steamers "Currituck" and 
" Sachem." About mid-day of the 7th, the wind had freshened 
to a strong breeze, causing, in their then position off the Capes 
of the Delaware, a rough sea, which broke constantly and 
violently over her decks, and forcing the water in considerable 
quantities into the vessel, through the hawse-pipes, under the 
turret, and in various other places. About four o'clock P. M., 
the wind and sea still increasing, the water broke over the smoke 
and blower pipes (the former six feet and the latter four feet 
high), which, wetting the blower bands, caused them to slip and 
finally to break. The blowers being thus stopped, there was no 
draft for the furnaces, and the engine and fire rooms became 
immediately filled with gas. The senior engineer, Mr. Isaac 
Newton, and his assistants, met the emergency with great deter- 
mination, but were unable to stand the gas, which in a very short 
time prostrated them, apparently lifeless, upon the floor of the 



20 



engine-room, from which they were rescued and carried to the 
top of the turret, where they finally revived. 

With the motive power thus useless for propulsion or for pump- 
ing, the water, which was entering the vessel in many places, was 
increasing rapidly. The hand pumps were used, and men set 
to work bailing, but with little effect. The tug-boat having the 
" Monitor " in tow was ordered to head directly in shore ; but 
being light and of moderate power, she could move the "Moni- 
tor" but slowly against wind and sea. Between seven and eight 
o'clock, however, they got into smoother water, and were enabled 
to so far clear the engine-room of gas as to permit the blower 
bands to be repaired and the blower to be set in motion. By 
eight o'clock they were on their course again, with the engines 
going slowly, in a comparatively smooth sea. This lasted until 
shortly after midnight, when, in crossing a shoal, the sea suddenly 
became rough again, broke violently over the deck, causing fears 
of another disaster to the blow^ers. The wheel ropes too became 
jammed, and for half an hour, until it was cleared, the vessel 
yawed unmanageably, seriously endangering the towing-hawser, 
which fortunately held, and in a short time they were clear of 
the shoal and in smooth water again. 

From this time no further serious mishap occurred. About 
four o'clock P. M. of Saturday, March 8th, they passed Cape 
Henry light, and soon after heard heavy firing in the direction 
of Fortress Monroe, indicating an engagement, which they 
rightly concluded to be w^ith the " Merrimac," as they had been 
informed of her preparation to get to sea. 

Lieutenant Worden immediately ordered the vessel to be 
stripped of her sea rig, the turret to be keyed up, and in every 
way to be prepared for action. About midway between Cape 
Henry and Fortress Monroe, a pilot boat came along and gave 
them a pilot, from whom they learned of the advent of the 
•' Merrimac," the disaster to the ships " Cumberland " and 
" Congress," and the generally gloomy condition of affairs in 
Hampton Roads. 

At this point let me give you a history of the destruction of 
the U. S. ships "Cumberland" and "Congress" by the rebel 



21 

ram " Merrimac," on the 8th day of March, 1862. The ships lay- 
about one-quarter of a mile apart, and as far from the shore off 
Newport News, at anchor. On the Monday previous. Captain 
Radford (now Admiral), commanding the "Cumberland," left for 
Old Point, where he was ordered, as president of a court-martial, 
on board the " Roanoke." Lieut. Geo. Morris, the Executive 
Officer, was left in command. Imagine the description as made 
from the decks of the " Cumberland." 

On Saturday, at eleven o'clock A. M., March 8th, 1862, the 
" Merrimac" was reported coming around the Point from Norfolk. 
She was accompanied by the " Frazer " and " Yorktown," two 
small steamers armed with rifled guns. On the " Cumberland " 
and " Congress " they beat to quarters. Their pilot seeing the 
" Merrimac " keep in close to the opposite shore, thought she had 
missed the channel. It has since been ascertained that she found 
a new channel. At first all officers were allowed on the spar deck ; 
but as she neared them, all went to their stations. I cannot 
state the exact hour at which the " Merrimac " opened fire on 
the " Cumberland," but it was at dead slack water, Commander 
Buchanan of the "Merrimac" having chosen that time to attack, 
as the "Cumberland " and "Congress," being sailing ships, could 
not at slack water use springs on their cables to present their 
broadsides to the approaching enemy. The crafty Buchanan 
well knew this (his own brother was an officer on one of the 
Union ships), and he selected this opportune hour to attack, bow 
on, taking the " Cumberland " at the greatest possible disadvan- 
tage, when she could hardly train a gun to bear upon her 
formidable antagonist. 

A small tug, the " Zouave," built and previously used to tow 
boats under the grain elevator in the basin at Albany, N. Y., 
had been detailed to assist in case of an attack. The "Congress," 
the senior ship, commanded by Lieut. Joseph Smith temporarily 
(her Captain — also a Smith — had been detached the day before, 
but was on board at the time and acted as a volunteer in the 
fight), slipped her 'chains. It was a dead calm. She made fast 
to the " Zouave" and attempted to meet the "Merrimac." The 
"Zouave" broke down, was cast adrift and floated away, firing 



her small pop-gun at the "Merrimac." The "Congress" 
grounded. The "Merrimac" stood for the "Cumberland," and 
opened fire upon her. The first shot killed and wounded ten 
men of the after pivot gun. Her second shot killed and wounded 
twelve men at the forward pivot gun. Her two tenders at the 
same time fired percussion shells into the " Cumberland." The 
" Merrimac" then rammed her, striking her on the starboard bow. 

I now quote in substance from an officer on board the " Cum- 
berland " : 

" I was looking through the air port of the sick bay, at the 
time, and had a full view of the " Merrimac." She was like a 
long iron shed sunk down to the roof, with a gun put in the 
gable. The shock was not great. I heard the stones rattling 
in the gunners' room underneath, and some of the bolts in the 
hanging knees were driven in, and the water spouted in, in a full 
stream. Part of the wounded had been brought down and were 
partially dressed, when a percussion shell came through the spar 
deck hatch, bursting in the sick bay immediately under the spar 
deck, killing four of the wounded men. By this time the ship 
was settling by the head, and we moved to the steerage. It was 
necessary to lift the wounded, brought down to the berth deck, 
on to the big racks and mess-chests, to save them from drowning 
in the water, which was making very fast. 

" All this time the three rebel ships continued to fire on us, 
and it was as warmly returned. Trunks of cartridges were 
hoisted on the gun deck and opened, the guns crews kicked off 
their shoes, stripped to their pants, their heads tied up with their 
black neck handkerchiefs, loaded, fired, yelled, and dragged the 
killed and wounded amidships. There was no time for form, 
or to send them below. 

" In forty-five minutes from the time she was struck, the order 
was given to leave quarters and save themselves as best they 
could. The ship, in sinking, heeled over. The ladders were 
almost perpendicular. The crash was fearful. As there is often 
in the gravest scenes a corner for the ludicrous, so there was 
in this. The marine drummer holding on to his drum, the 
men pushing him up behind from below, landing him on deck 



23 

with it, caused a laugh at his expense, desperately as we were 
situated. 

" When the spar deck was reached, it inclined like the roof of 
a house. The boats, previous to the action, had all been lowered 
and made fast in a line on the shore side. Every one took to 
the water and swam for the boats. While hesitating at the after 
pivot port, a man next me said, 'Jump! here comes the pivot 
gun.' It had been pivoted on the upper side, and breaking 
away, rushed down in the water, catching, as it went. Quarter- 
master Murray, a young, active, unwounded man. He fell, and 
the gun bounded on his back, like some fierce animal, breaking 
his spine. His face rose with an unutterable look of agony, 
which once seen can never be forgotten. 

" The ship sunk to her tops, in which many of the men took 
refuge. As the boats made for the shore, the enemy continued to 
shell us, but we were below in the water, so that the shell went 
over us. One of them knocked to pieces the end of the wharf 
we were making for. On landing, the soldiers met us in crowds; 
they hugged and embraced us, and whiskey flasks were held to 
our mouths, plugs of tobacco shoved into our pockets, and they 
cried and cheered and cursed ; and we were clothed and com- 
forted by them. 

"The "Cumberland" lost one hundred and seventeen out of 
three hundred. Fourteen of the wounded were saved. When 
the order was given to leave the ship, the wounded men, most 
of them mangled by shell, begged to be killed rather than be 
left to drown, and the yell of agony as she sank was heard in 
the camp of the troops on shore. But she sank with her colors 
flying ! 

" The last gun was fired by a volunteer ofhcer, Lieut. Randall, 
now in the naval service. Lieut. Morris was hailed by Captain 
Buchanan of the " Merrimac," 'Do you surrender.?' He 
answered, ' No, sir !' 

" The slaughter was terrible among the marines. They were 
commanded by Lieut. Charles Heywood, a gallant man. There 
were many interesting scenes on board. A man dreadfully, 
hopelessly wounded, had been carried down to the cock-pit. 



24 

While therein, his ' chummy,' or friend, with a wounded hand, 
came to have it dressed, intending to return. The wounded 
man said, \Tom, are you going to leave me ?' Tom said, ' No, 
I will not !' and sat down on deck, took his friend's head in 
his lap and went down with him. The cock-pit sentry also went 
down at his post. 

" Leaving the "Cumberland," the ram went for the "Congress." 
She was aground and helpless. Hot shot were fired into her, 
and she was soon on fire. Full of wounded men, Lieut. Smith 
killed, the ship on fire, she surrendered. A small tender from 
the " Merrimac " went between her and the shore, but the 
Zouaves under Col. Lozier with their rifles picked off the men in 
the tug, and she left without making a prisoner or securing the 
flag of the "Congress ;" and then, to the surprise of every one, 
the "Merrimac" steamed back for Norfolk. She had left the ram 
in the "Cumberland," and was leaking badly. All the wounded 
of the "Congress" were taken ashore, and at 12.30 she blew up, 
the fire having reached her magazines. 

"An old man, Russell, aged sixty, stationed in the after 
magazine of the " Cumberland," went down with the ship, 
made his way up through the hatches to the surface and was 
hauled into the mizzen-top, the only one out of water. The 
weight rushing forward kept her head lower than the stern, 
entirely submerging the fore and main tops. As soon as 
Captain Radford heard the firing he attempted to reach us ; 
but the "Roanoke" was repairing her machinery, the "Minne- 
sota" aground, and, as we landed at Newport News, he rode 
down to the beach on a horse without saddle or bridle, 
merely a halter. He was ragged and muddy from falls, 
haggard with anxiety and regret ; but brightened up when 
he was pointed to the flag still flying on his ship ! He was 
noted for complete control of himself, but he cried like a child 
when contemplating the sad scene before him. A kinder and 
braver Captain never commanded a ship, and though he regret- 
ted his own absence, he approved the acts of the gallant Morris, 
his officers and crew, by saying : * It could not have been done 
better.' " 



25 

Gentlemen, you have thus the simple touching story of the 
sinking and burning of the "Cumberland" and "Congress." 
History does not record a more glorious desperate fight, than 
was fought by their gallant crews on our side, or a meaner and 
more despicable one on the part of the enemy. It demonstrated 
also the destructive powers of the " Merrimac." 

Sunday morning (the 9th of March) the return of the " Merri- 
mac " was reported in camp at Newport News, and also a 
second message, to the effect that the strangest-looking craft 
was in sight. She had been hidden by the hull of the " Minne- 
sota," which ship attempted on Saturday to assist us ; but was 
run on a shoal and was left a fair target for the ram, and it was 
to destroy her they came out that Sunday. Then began the 
first iron-clad fight. 

We will again resume the story of the " Monitor." 

About nine P. M. of the 8th of March she anchored near the 
frigate " Roanoke," Captain Marston (the senior officer present), 
to whom Lieutenant Worden reported, and who suggested that 
he should go to the assistance of the frigate " Minnesota," then 
aground off Newport News. Finding difficulty in getting a pilot, 
Worden accepted the services of Acting-Master Samuel Howard, 
who earnestly volunteered for that service. Under his pilotage 
the " Monitor " reached the " Minnesota " about half-past eleven 
o'clock P. M., when Worden reported to Captain Van Brunt, her 
commanding officer, and anchored near the "Minnesota," at 
about one o'clock Sunday morning, March 9th. 

They hoped to get the " Minnesota " afloat at high water, 
about two o'clock following, but failed to do so. At daylight 
the " Merrimac " was discovered, with several consorts, at anchor 
under Sewell's Point. Lieutenant Worden went at once to see 
Captain Van Brunt, whose vessel was still aground, greatly 
damaged from the attack of the day before, and in a helpless 
condition. After a few minutes conversation with him relative 
to the situation of affairs, Worden left, telling Captain Van Brunt 
he would develop all the qualities, offensive and defensive, pos- 
sessed by the battery under his command, to protect his vessel 
(the " Minnesota ") from the attack of the " Merrimac," should 



26 

she come out again, and that he (Worden) had great faith in her 
capabiHties. Shortly afterwards he returned to the " Monitor," 
and at about half-past seven o'clock A. M. the " Merrimac " was 
observed to be approaching, accompanied by her consorts, steam- 
ing slowly. The "Monitor" got under way as soon as possible, 
and stood directly for the " Merrimac," with crew at quarters, in 
order to meet or engage her as far away from the " Minnesota" 
as possible. As they approached the enemy, her wooden con- 
sorts turned and stood back in the direction from which they 
had come, and she turned her head up stream, against the tide, 
remaining nearly stationary, and commenced firing. 

At this time, about eight o'clock A. M., the "Monitor" was 
approaching the " Merrimac " on her starboard bow, on a course 
nearly at right angles with her line of keel, the " Monitor " 
reserving fire, until near enough that every shot might take 
effect. She continued to so approach until within very short 
range, when she altered her course parallel with the " Merrimac," 
but with bows in opposite directions. Then the " Monitor " 
stopped her engine and commenced firing. In this way she 
passed slowly by the " Merrimac," within a few yards, delivering 
her fire as rapidly as possible, and receiving from the " Merri- 
mac " a rapid fire in return, both from her great guns and 
musketry, the latter aimed at the pilot-house, hoping, undoubt- 
edly, to penetrate it through the look-out holes and to disable 
the commanding officer, pilot and helmsman, the sole occupants. 
At this moment Worden felt some anxiety about the turret 
machinery, it having been predicted by many persons that a 
heavy shot striking the turret with great initial velocity would 
so derange it as to stop its working ; but, finding that it had 
been twice struck and still revolved as freely as ever, he turned 
back with renewed confidence and hope, and continued the 
engagement at close quarters ; every shot from the " Monitor's " 
guns taking effect upon the huge sides of her adversary, strip- 
ping off" the iron plating freely. 

During the engagement, the "Monitor" ran across and close 
to the stern of the " Merrimac," hoping to disable her screw, 
which she could not have missed by more than two feet. 



27 

After having passed up on her port side, in crossing her bow 
to get between her and the " Minnesota " again, the "Merrimac" 
steamed up quickly, and finding that she would strike the 
" Monitor " with her prow or ram, Worden put the " Monitor's " 
helm " hard a port," giving a broad sheer with her bow towards 
the enemy's stern, thus avoiding a direct blow and receiving it 
at a sharp angle on the starboard quarter, which caused it to 
glance off without inflicting any injury to the "Monitor." 

The contest so continued, except for an interval of about fif- 
teen minutes, when the "Monitor" hauled oft" to remedy some de- 
ficiency in the supply of shot in the turret, until near noon, when, 
being within ten yards of the enemy, a shell from the " Merri- 
mac " struck her pilot-house near the look-out hole, through 
which 'Worden was looking. The shell exploded, fracturing one 
of the logs of iron of which it was composed, filling his face and 
eyes with powder, utterly blinding and partially stunning him. 
His escape from instant death was marvelous, as I heard from his 
own lips. He had just at that moment withdrawn his face from 
immediate contact with the look-out hole ; if he had kept it 
there a moment longer, the shell that disabled would have killed 
him outright. (I would here state that Mr. Ericsson improved 
very much afterwards upon the pilot-houses ; those of the present 
day are quite different affairs from that of the first " Monitor.") 

The top of the pilot-house was partially lifted off by the force 
of the concussion, which let in a flood of light so strong as to 
be apparent to Worden, blind as he was, and caused him to 
believe that the pilot-house was seriously disabled. He there- 
fore gave orders to put the helm to starboard and sheer off, and 
sent for Lieutenant Greene and directed him to take command. 
Worden was then taken to his quarters, and had been there but 
a short time when it was reported to him that the " Merrimac " 
was retiring in the direction of Norfolk. 

In the meantime, Lieut. Greene, after taking his place in the 
pilot-house and finding the injuries there less serious than 
Worden supposed, had turned the vessel's head again in the 
direction of the enemy to continue the engagement ; but before 
he could get at close quarters with her, the " Merrimac " retired. 



28 

He, therefore, very properly returned to the " Minnesota," and 
lay by her until she floated. 

The " Merrimac " having been thus checked in her career of 
destruction and driven back crippled and discomfited, the 
question arises, Should she have been followed in her retreat to 
Norfolk ? That such a course would commend itself very 
temptingly to the gallantry of an officer and be difficult to resist, 
is undeniable ; yet I am convinced that, under the condition of 
affairs then existing at Hampton Roads, with the great interests 
at stake there, all of which were entirely dependent upon the 
" Monitor," good judgment forbade a pursuit of the enemy. It 
must be remembered that the pilot-house of the " Monitor " was 
situated well forward in her bows, and that it was considerably 
damaged. In following in the wake of the enemy, in order to 
fire clear of the pilot-house it would have been necessary to 
make broad " yaws " to starboard or port, involving, in the 
excitement of such a chase, the very serious danger of grounding 
the " Monitor " in the narrower portions of the channels, and 
near some of the enemy's batteries, whence it would have been 
very difficult to extricate her, and possibly involving her loss. 
Such a danger her commander would not, in my judgment, have 
been justified in encountering : for her loss would have left the 
vital interests in all the waters of the Chesapeake at the mercy 
of future attacks from the " Merrimac." Had there been another 
iron-clad in reserve at that point to guard those interests, the 
question would have presented a different aspect ; one that 
would not only have justified him in following the retreating 
enemy, but perhaps made it his imperative duty to do so. 

The fact that the battle with the " Merrimac " was not more 
decided was due to the want of knowledge of the endurance of 
the eleven-inch Dahlgren guns, with which the " Monitor " was 
armed, and which had not been fully tested. Just before leaving 
New York, Lieutenant Worden received a peremptory order 
from the Bureau of Ordnance, to use only the prescribed service 
charge, viz., fifteen pounds, and he did not feel justified in 
violating those instructions at the risk of bursting one of the 
guns, an accident which, placed as they were in the turret. 



29 

would have almost entirely disabled the vessel. Had he been 
able to use the thirty-pound charges which experience has since 
shown the guns to be capable of enduring, there is little doubt 
in my mind that the contest would have been shorter and the 
result more decisive. 

Further, the crew had been but a few days on board, the 
weather was bad, mechanics had been at work on her up to the 
moment of sailing, and sufficient opportunity had not been af- 
forded to practice with the guns, the mode of manipulating which 
was entirely novel. A few days at Hampton Roads for drilling 
the men and getting the guns and turret-gear in smooth-working 
order (the latter, from having been constantly wet on the passage, 
was somewhat rusted), would have enabled the guns to have been 
handled more quickly and effectively, and with better results. 

In his official report Lieutenant Worden said that he desired 
to express his high approbation of the zeal, energy and courage 
displayed by every officer and man under his command during 
this remarkable combat, as well as during the trying scenes of 
the passage from New York. He commended one and all most 
heartily to the favorable consideration of the Department and 
of the country. Lieutenant Greene, the executive officer, had 
charge of the turret, and handled the guns with great courage, 
coolness and skill. Throughout the engagement, as well as in 
the equipment of the vessel, and on her passage to Hampton 
Roads, he exhibited an earnest devotion to duty, unsurpassed 
in Lieutenant Worden's experience. For which good service 
Worden had the honor in person, about seven years ago, to 
recommend Greene to the Department and to the Board of 
Admirals for advancement, in accordance with the precedent 
established in the case of Lieutenant Commander Thornton, 
the executive officer of the " Kearsage," in her memorable 
fight with the "Alabama." 

Acting-Master Samuel Howard, who volunteered as pilot, 
stood by Lieutenant Worden in the pilot-house, during the 
engagement, and behaved with courage and coolness. For 
his services on that occasion he has since been promoted to 
Acting- Volunteer Lieutenant. 



30 

Chief Engineer A. C. Stimers, U. S. N., made the passage on 
the vessel, to report upon the performance of the machinery, 
and performed useful service during the engagement, in mani- 
pulating the turret. He was the only volunteer, outside of 
the crew, that left New York on the " Monitor." Mr. Ericsson 
speaks of him in such high terms in fitting out the " Monitor," 
and Admiral Worden commends him so much for his services 
during the fight, that I deem him worthy of more than a 
passing notice here. Mr. Stimers was born in the township 
of Smithfield, Madison County, N. Y., June 5th, 1827. He was 
educated in the common schools of the State, with six months 
in a select school in the village of Byron Centre, Genesee 
County, N. Y. He learned the machinist's trade, and entered 
the Navy as Third Assistant Engineer, June nth, 1849, and 
became Chief Engineer in 1858. He was married in Buffalo, 
November 25, 1852, to the adopted daughter of the late 
Oilman Appleby, and was living here with his family when the 
war broke out in 1861, having just returned from the Pacific, 
where he had been cruising as Chief Engineer of the flag-ship 
" Merrimac." He served as Assistant Engineer of the " Michi- 
gan," on the Lakes during 1850, 185 1 and 1852. 

I append Mr. Stimers account of the " Monitor's " first 
voyage to Hampton Roads, with report of the engagement, and 
her subsequent loss, and the cause of it, off Cape Hatteras. 

First Assistant Engineer Isaac Newton, the Chief Engineer 
of the vessel, and his assistants, managed the machinery with 
careful skill, and gave prompt and correct attention to all the 
signals from the pilot-house. Acting Assistant Paymaster 
W. F. Keeler and 7l!aptain's Clerk Daniel Toffey made their 
services very useful in transmitting the orders of Lieutenant 
Worden to the turret. Peter Williams, Quarter-Master, was 
at the helm by the side of Worden, and won his admiration 
by his cool and steady handling of the wheel. 

I will here give the crew list, which has never been made 
public before. Fifty-seven men of crew proper, and with Mr. 
Stimers (volunteer), fifty-eight manned the " Monitor." 



31 



LIST OF THE OFFICERS AND CREW 

Lieut. John L. Worden, U. S. N., . 

Lieut. Samuel D. Greene, U. S. N., 

Louis N. Stodder, 

John J. N. Webber, 

Daniel C. Logne, 

W. F. Keeler, 

Isaac Newton, 

Albert B. Campbell, 

R. W. Hands, 

M. T. Sunstrum, 

Daniel Toffey, 

Geo. Frederickson, 

Jesse M. Jones, 

R. R. Hubbell, 

Richard Angier, 

Peter Williams, 

Moses M. Stearns, 

Derick Brinkman, 

Robert Williams, 

John Driscoll, 

Abram Fester, 

Wm. Richardson, 

George S. Geer, 

Patrick Hannan, 

Mathew Leonard, 

Thomas Joyce, 

John Garrety, 

Edmund Brown, 

Joseph Crown, 

John Rooney, 

Thomas Carroll, ist, 

John P. Conklin, 

John Stocking, 

Lawrence Murray, 

Wm. H. Nichols, 

William Byran, 

David Cuddebuck, 

Edward Moore, 

Thomas Longhran, 

Thomas Carroll, 2d, 

Charles F. Sylvester, 



OF THE u. s. s. 



MONITOR. 



. Commanding. 

Executive Officer. 

Master. 

Master. 
. Assistant Surgeon. 
. Paymaster. 

First Assistant Engineer. 
. Second Assistant Engineer. 
. Third Assistant Engineer. 

Third Assistant Engineer. 
. Captain's Clerk. 
. Acting Master's Mate. 
. Hospital Steward. 

Paymaster's Steward. 

Quarter-Master. 

Quarter-Master. 

Quarter-Master. 
. Carpenter's Mate. 
. First Class Fireman. 

First Class Fireman. 

First Class Fireman. 
. First Class Fireman. 
. First Class Fireman. 
. First Class Fireman. 

First Class Fireman. 

First Class Fireman. 
. First Class Fireman. 

First Class Fireman. 
. Gunner's Mate. 

Master at Arms. 

Captain of Hold. 

Quarter Gunner. 

Boatswain's Mate. 

Landsman. 

Landsman. 
. Yeoman. 

Officers' Steward. 
. Officers' Cook. 
. Ship's Cook. 
. First Class Boy. 

Seaman, 



32 



Charles Peterson, 

Anton Basting, 

Hans Anderson, 

Peter Truscott, 

Thomas B. Vial, 

William Marion, 

Anthony Connoly, 

James Fenwick, 

Daniel Welch, 

Michael Mooney, 

Ellis Roberts, 

William Durst, 

James Seery, 

Robert Quinn, 

John Mason, 

Christy Price, 

A. C. Stimers, Chief Engineer, passenger, 



Seaman. 
Seaman. 
Seaman. 
Seaman. 
Seaman. 
Seaman. 
Seaman. 
Seaman. 
Seaman. 
Coal Heaver. 
Coal Heaver. 
Coal Heaver, 
Coal Heaver. 
Coal Heaver. 
Coal Heaver. 
Coal Heaver, 
and volunteer officer. 



Mr. President and gentlemen, the battle of the " Monitor " 
and " Merrimac " is over. The once proud, and supposed in- 
vincible and invulnerable, ship has retired, battered and worth- 
less, never again to fire a hostile gun aimed at the flag from 
which she rebelled and was stolen. 

The prophecy of Ericsson as to what his " Monitor " could do 
has been fulfilled. She has been "heard from." In Downing 
Street by the Lords of Admiralty ; by peasant and peer alike, 
all over the world, wherever language is printed or written, 
Ericsson and his " Monitor " have been heard of. Their triumph 
has been complete. 

Captain Ericsson received a vote of thanks from Congress, 
couched in very flattering terms, as follows : 

Resolved^ by the Siviate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America, in Congress assembled : That it is fit and proper that 
a public acknowledgment be made to Captain John Ericsson for the 
enterprise, skill, energy and forecast displayed by him in the construc- 
tion of his iron-clad boat, the " Monitor," which, under gallant and able 
management, came so opportunely to the rescue of our fleet in Hamp- 
ton Roads, and perchance, of all our coast defences near, and arrested 
the work of destruction then being successfully prosecuted by the 
enemy, by their iron-clad steamer, seemingly irresistible by any other 



33 

power at our .command, and that the thanks of Congress are hereby 
presented to him for the great service he has thus rendered to the 
country. 

The Legislature of this State also passed a vote of thanks 
which was inscribed on parchment, set in a fine gilt frame, the 
" Monitor " and its constructor being truthfully depicted. A 
committee of six members of the Legislature being appointed 
to present to him this v^aluable document, which read as follows: 

State of New Yo?-k, in Assembly^ Alarch ijt/i, 1862. 

Whereas, The recent naval engagement in Hampton Roads, while 
establishing the utility and importance of iron-clad vessels of war, has 
equally confirmed the genius of our inventors, and the undaunted gal- 
lantry of our naval officers and sailors ; therefore, be it 

Resolved, That John Ericsson, in the conception and construction of 
the " Monitor," has materially contributed to the protection of our 
forces on sea and land, and the effective and speedy prosecution of the 
war ; and is eminently entitled to the thanks of his countrymen. 

Some leading engineering establishments and ship builders 
also presented him with a magnificent model of the " Monitor," 
made of pure gold, weighing upwards of fourteen pounds, the 
entire detail of the turret machinery, &c., being represented, 
and is said to have cost seven thousand dollars. 

Here I will give you a list of the ships and guns that were 
afloat in Hampton Roads on that memorable Sunday morning, 
March 9th, 1862, and then sum up the result. 

Twenty ships of war in all, mounting 298 guns, headed by 
the " Monitor," viz. : 



" Monitor," 


mounting 2 


guns. 




" Roanoke," 


u 


40 






" Minnesota," . 


a 


48 






-"-Congress," 


u 


50 






"-Cumberland," 


a 


24 






" St. Lawrence," 


u 


5° 






" Brandywine," 


u 


50 




Store Ship. 


" Ben Morgan," 


u 


no 




Ordnance ship. 


" Cambridge," . 


(1 


5 






" Whitehall," . 
3 


a 


2 




Tug. 



34 



" Mount Vernon," 


. mounting 


3 


guns. 




" Mystic," 
" Dragon," 




4 

I 




Tug 


" Zouave," 




I 




Tug 


" Mount Washington," 




4 






" Braziliera," 




6 






'' S. R. Spaulding," . 
" Young America," . 
" Charles Phelps," . 
" Delaware," 




3 

2 
I 
2 




Tug. 



298 guns. 

There were also a number of transports, chartered vessels and 
private property, swelling to a large amount the values of life 
and property exposed to the " Merrimac." This all captured 
and destroyed, the Atlantic seaboard cities were at the mercy 
of the famous rebel ram, and no estimate could be made of her 
powers of destruction. The " Monitor" saved them all. If she 
had not won, European governments would have acknowleged 
the Confederacy at once. 

In reference to the first mission of the " Monitor," there is 
a little bit of history that is worthy of special mention. I 
have already shown that Lieutenant Worden was directed to 
proceed to Hampton Roads for orders. Two hours after he had 
sailed from New York, orders came from Washington directing 
him to proceed to the Potomac, where it was thought the 
"Monitor" was more needed, leaving the large fleet of war' 
vessels at Hampton Roads to protect that place. The authori- 
ties little dreamed then of the aggressive powers of the " Merri- 
mac," and how poorly the whole fleet was prepared to cope 
with that powerful antagonist. Luckily, Worden and his 
"Monitor" were beyond its reach. But can we call it luck.'' 
Was it not rather the special interposition of Divine Providence 
to save the great cities of the Atlantic seaboard from certain 
destruction by the " Merrimac," after she had destroyed every 
vessel in Hampton Roads .'' Considering the timely appearance 
of our " Monitor," who can doubt that we were cared for by 
the sreat Director of all thing-s. 



35 

The above fact came to my knowledge quite recently, since 
the greater portion of this paper was written, and it is added 
as another of the many wonderful incidents connected with the 
subject. 

You can see here before you a perfect miniature scale-model of 
the "Monitor," made at Mr. Rowland's "Continental Iron Works" 
at Green Point. Her subsequent career was as follows : 

Soon after the action with the " Merrimac," the "Monitor" 
anchored near the " Minnesota," off Newport News, and remained 
there until eight o'clock A. M. of Monday, March loth, 1862. 
The "Minnesota" floated at about four o'clock A. M. of the 
same day and proceeded to Hampton Roads. At eight o'clock 
A. M. the " Monitor " got under way and steamed to Hampton 
Roads, arriving there about half-past nine the same morning. 
She was lustily cheered by the entire fleet as she steamed past 
the vessels. 

Late on Monday night Lieutenant T. O. Selfridge took 
command, having been ordered by G. V. Fox, Assistant 
Secretary of the Navy, and three days afterwards Lieut. 
Selfridge was relieved by Lieut. W. N. Jefifers. From the lOth 
of March until the destruction of the "Merrimac" on the nth 
of May, the "Monitor" laid at Hampton Roads, guarding the 
Elizabeth and James Rivers, and always ready for the 
" Merrimac." During this time her pilot-house was strength- 
ened by heavy pieces of oak being bolted to the lower part, 
and covered with three layers of iron plates, each one inch 
thick, the surface making an angle of 40 degrees with the deck, 
and coming up on the sides of the pilot-house to just below the 
sight holes. May 8th she engaged the Battery on Sewell's 
Point, in company with the fleet. During this period her 
officers and crew suffered much inconvenience from bad ventila- 
tion, and from the sea frequently sw^eeping over her decks 
(especially at the change of tide), large quantities of water 
getting below. 

On the 1 2th of May the "Monitor" led the vessels that went 
to Norfolk on the evacuation of that city by the rebels, and a 
few days afterwards proceeded up the James River as one of 



the flotilla under command of Commodore John Rodgers, who 
commanded the iron-plated steamer "Galena." On the 15th of 
May she participated in the engagements of Fort Darling on 
the James River, seven miles below Richmond, Va. This action 
lasted four hours. The " Monitor " was struck several times by 
heavy shot, but received no material damage. 

From this time, until the retreat of the army from the Penin- 
sula, the " Monitor" was employed patrolling the James River, 
and frequently engaged with the enemy's sharpshooters and 
artillery upon the banks of the river. She arrived on the 31st 
of August at Newport News, being the last vessel that came 
down the James River. , 

Commander T. H. Stevens relieved Lieut. Commander W. 
N. Jeffers from the command of the "Monitor" the latter part 
of July or early in August, and Commander John P. Bankhead 
took command of her in September. In that month the 
"Monitor" proceeded to the Washington Navy Yard for repairs. 
She sailed again for Hampton Roads in November. 

On the 29th of December, 1862, she sailed for Beaufort, N. C, 
in company with the steamer " Rhode Island," her convoy, 
and on the night of the 30th she foundered near Cape Hatteras. 
About half of her officers and crew were carried down with her; 
the others escaped to the convoy " Rhode Island." The cause 
of her foundering is not known. It may perhaps be assigned 
to the fact that she had lain all summer in the hot sun of the 
James River. The oak timber, \\'hich had been fitted to the top 
edge of the iron hull, had shrunk so, that when in the heavy 
sea there was two or three feet of water over it most of the 
time, on the weather side; and the water found its way through 
this space and flowed in great volume into the ship, with fatal 
effect. 

Among those of her crew lost when she foundered, was the 
son of our townsman, William Nicklis. 

I append to this history the naval record of Rear Admiral 
John L. Worden, U. S. N., the commander of the " Monitor," 
and several testimonials of commendation for his services, from 
Congress, and from different Chambers of Commerce. The 



17 

State of New York presented him with a sword. Buffalo was 
not unmindful of the hero, some of her citizens having sent him 
the first testimonial he received. These testimonials could not 
be otherwise than gratifying to the gallant man who had, with 
his officers and crew, so successfully fought the first fight of the 
kind in the world, destroying the " Merrimac " as a fighting 
ship forever, and thereby saving human lives and property that 
cannot even be calculated. I learned out of his own mouth 
that the first testimonial reached him from Buffalo, and he said 
it was the first thing which called his attention to the fact that 
he had done anything meriting commendation. He said : " I 
was lying on my back, helpless and blind, when my good wife 
put into my hands the beautiful and appreciated remembrance 
from friends in Buffalo. I asked my wife to guide my fingers 
over the inscription and the names of the donors. You can- 
not imagine the thrill of emotion and pleasure that passed 
through my mind on her doing so, and when I handled the 
beautiful gift of your citizens." 

The testimonials were as well deserved as they were appre- 
ciated. But the name and fame of this gallant Worden are 
inseparably connected with the "Monitor" and her glorious 
fight and victory, which will live forever, and be estimated at a 
value far beyond the eulogy of testimonials, or of silver and 
gold. For, what he only claimed as a repulse, or driving into 
Norfolk, of the disabled " Merrimac," as he deemed her, was 
really a substantial victory. For all practical purposes as a 
fighting ship the " Merrimac " was as completely destroyed as 
though she had been sunk in Hampton Roads in the first day's 
fight. This was demonstrated by her subsequent career. She 
was only kept for a show or semblance of power, and the 
gallant though misguided Tatnall well knew this when he 
applied the fuse to blow her up. He was convinced of her 
worthlessness, and only destroyed the shell from which Lieu- 
tenant Worden and his " Monitor " had taken the power. 

As a matter of great interest, I will also annex a statement 
from our townsman. Captain James Byers, who was captured at 
Norfolk where he happened to be in command of the steam 



38 

tug "J. B. White," in the employ of Mr. Barton, formerly of 
this city, at that time a contractor on the Albemarle Canal. 
The Confederates pressed Byers and his steamer into their 
service. 

The waters of Hampton Roads are classic in American 
history. Into their shelter, from the Old World, sailed the 
expedition of Captain Smith, that settled Jamestown, in May, 
1607, a squadron of three ships. They have afforded a safe 
harbor and anchorage for the tempest-tossed mariner, from that 
day to this. The harbor has been the theatre of many important 
scenes, being so close to our great Navy Yard at Norfolk. But, 
towering far above them all, the record of the glorious fight of 
the " Monitor " with the " Merrimac " commands our admira- 
tion, as of the greatest importance, not only in the affairs of 
this country, but to the world at large. 

All honor to the names of Ericsson, Winslow, Griswold, 
Bushnell, Rowland, Worden, Greene and Newton, with those of 
all her officers and crew, not omitting the name of volunteer 
Stimers. These are the men that invented, built, manned and 
fought our " Monitor." They all deserve to be held in the 
highest respect by the American people; and it should never 
be said, as applied to them, that " Republics are ungrateful." 

The names and acts of the men of the " Monitor," the 

" Cumberland " and the " Congress " should be cherished and 

recorded with those of the sailor heroes of the past, who have 

made the naval record of this country one of the brightest 

pages of its history. They showed the world that the gallant 

spirit which animated the breasts of Jones, Decatur, Lawrence, 

Porter, Perry, and the other heroes of an earlier day, had not 

died out, but still lived to animate our sailors when the occasion 

came to arouse it, as was proved later still by Farragut, Bailey, 

Porter and a host of other noble sailors, who added to the proud 

record of the American Navy. 

E. P. DORR. 
Buffalo, January 5th, 1874. 



39 



APPENDIX. 



STATISTICS OF THE FIRST MONITOR. 



She was 124 feet long, 18 feet wide on the bottom and 34 feet 
wide at the junction of the armor raft with hull, and 6J-^ feet in depth. 
Her bow raked ii}4 feet, stern raked 9 feet 10 inches. The armor 
raft was 173 feet 4 inches long over all, 41 feet 4 inches wide and 5 feet 
in depth. The bow projected 15 feet beyond the hull, the stern over- 
hung 34 feet 4 inches. The side armor consisted of 5 one-inch plates 
5 feet deep, backed up with 27 inches of oak. The deck armor was 
7 inches of timber laid on wooden beams ten inches square ; the whole 
covered with two plates of one-half inch iron. 

The turret was 20 feet inside diameter, formed of eight-inch plates, 
9 feet in height. The top was covered with railroad bars, and a plate 
of iron perforated full of holes for the egress of air. 

The pilot-house was formed of eight-inch square bars, with corners 
notched log-house fashion. 

The guns were placed in wrought-iron carriages. 

The power consisted of a pair of steam, low-pressure engines, with 
cylinders forty-inch and thirty-inch stroke, placed horizontally, and 
operating the screw shaft by means of bell cranks. 

The screw was 9 feet in diameter and 16 feet pitch. 

Steam was supplied to the main engines, also turret and blower 
engines, from two boilers with horizontal tubes. 

The keel was laid October 22d, 1861, and she was launched January 
30th, at 9:45 A. M., 1862. 

During the time of her construction Captain Ericsson was continually 
on the ground, from early in the morning till late at night. 



40 



NA VAL RECORD OF REAR ADMIRAL JOHN 
LO RIMER WORD EN, U. S. N. 



Born in the town of Sing Sing, Westchester County, New York. 

Appointed a Midshipman in the Navy, from Fishkill, Dutchess Co., 
N. Y., Jan. lo, 1834. 

Ordered to sloop of war " Erie," June 20th, 1834, and served in her 
on the Brazil Station until September 20th, 1837. 

Served in sloop of war " Cyane " in the Mediterranean Squadron, 
from 7th May, 1838, until Dec. 2d, 1839. 

Served at Naval School at Philadelphia, Pa., from December 23d, 
1839, until the 20th July, 1840. 

Promoted to passed Midshipman on the i6th of July, 1840. 

Served on board store ship " Relief" in the Pacific Squadron, from 
Oct. 13th, 1840, until Sept. 6th, 1842 ; transferred to the sloop of war 
" Dale," and detached from her on the 23d of October, at New York, 

1843. 

On duty at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D. C, from April 
7th, 1844, until May 28th, 1846. 

Promoted to Master Aug. 13th, 1846, and on the 30th Nov., 1846, 
promoted to Lieutenant. 

Served on board store ship " Southampton " in the Pacific Squadron, 
from the 5th of February, 1847, until May, 1848, when he was trans- 
ferred to the " Independence," on same station ; was again transferred 
on July 13th, 1848, to the "Warren," of same Squadron ; on the 12th 
Sept., 1849, was ordered to the line-of-battle ship '■ Ohio," on same 
station, and detached from her at Boston, April 29th, 1850. 

On duty at Naval Observatory, from October 1850, until March 
15th, 1852. 

Served on board the frigate " Cumberland " in the Mediterranean 
Squadron, from April, 1852, until 15th February, 1855, when he was 
transferred to the sloop of war " Levant," and detached from her in 
New York in May, 1855. 

On duty at the Naval Observatory, from Oct. 24th, 1855, until 
March, 1856. 

On duty at Navy Yard, New York, from March, 1856, until July ist, 
1858. 

Served on board frigate " Savannah " (as First Lieutenant) in the 
Home Squadron, from July ist, 1858, until Nov. 20th, i860. 



41 

On the 6th of April, 1861, reported at Washington under orders "for 
special duty connected with the discipline and efficiency of the Naval 
Service," but finding that ships were being rapidly fitted for service, in 
consequence of the secession movements, asked to be relieved from 
that duty and applied for service afloat. 

Next day (7th), at daylight, was sent to Pensacola with dispatches 
for the commanding officer of the Squadron off that port (orders to 
reinforce P'ort Pickens), and reached there about 11^ o'clock P. M., 
April 10th. A heavy gale blowing on the nth, could not communicate 
with the Squadron. The next day (the 12th) was enabled to reach it, 
and deliver dispatches about noon. 

At 3 o'clock P. M. of same day left the Squadron, with orders to 
return to Washington by rail. Took the cars at 9 P. M. for Mont- 
gomery, Alabama, and on the next day (13th), at about 4 o'clock P. M., 
was arrested at the first railroad station south of Montgomery, to which 
place he was conveyed, ajid there detained as a prisoner of war until 
Nov. 14th, 1861, when he was paroled and ordered to report to the 
Secretary of War at Richmond, Va. 

Arrived at latter place on Nov. i6th, and left there next day (17th) 
by order of the Secretary of War, to report to General Huger at Nor- 
folk, Va., who, on the next day (i8th), sent him under flag of truce to 
Hampton Roads and delivered him to Admiral Goldsborough, who, in 
accordance with arrangements, sent back Lieut. Sharpe, a Confederate 
prisoner, whose delivery to General Huger ended Lieut. Worden's 
parole. 

Was at Naval Rendezvous at New York, from about November 20th, 
1 86 1, until the i6th of January, 1862, when he was ordered to the 
command of the " Monitor," and remained in her until his removal on 
account of the injuries received in the encounter with the " Merrimac," 
on the 9th of March, 1862. 

Promoted to Commander, July i6th, 1862. 

Was on duty at New York as assistant to Admiral Gregory in super- 
intending the construction of iron-clads, from August 14th, 1862, to 
October 8th, 1862. 

Commanded iron-clad " Montauk " from October 8th, 1862, until 
April 16th, 1863, in the South Atlantic Squadron. In her attacked 
Fort McAllister, on the Ogechee River, on January 27th and February 
I St, 1863, and on the 28th of February destroyed the Confederate 
privateer " Nashville " under the guns of that fort. Participated in the 
attack made by the iron-clad fleet, under command of Admiral Du- 
pont, upon the defences of Charleston, S. C, on the 7th of April, 1863. 

Promoted to Captain, February 3d, 1863. 



42 

On duty with Admiral Gregory in superintending the construction of 
iron-clads, from April 23d, 1863, until February 2d, 1866. 

Commanded steamer "Idaho" from February ist, 1866, until May 
23d, 1866, on " trial and experimental trips." 

On iron-clad duty from June 2d, 1866, until August 6th, 1866. 

In command of the steamer "Pensacola" in the Pacific Squadron, 
from the 6th of August, 1866, until May 8th, 1867. 

Promoted to the grade of Commodore, May 27th, 1868. 

Ordered to Naval Academy, as Superintendent, December ist, 1869. 

Promoted to grade of Rear Admiral, November 20th, 1872. 



RESOLUTIONS, PRESENTATIONS, ETC. 



LETTER FROM REAR ADMIRAL WORDEN. 

U. S. Naval Academy, 
Annapolis, Md., Dec. 22d, 1873. 

My Dear Sir,^ — I enclose herewith copies of certain papers, ad- 
dressed to me, in reference to the " Monitor " affair, viz. : 

A resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States, tendering thanks, etc. 

A letter of thanks from the Secretary of the Navy. 

A resolution of the Assembly of the State of New York, authorizing 
a sword to be presented to me. 

The letter of the Secretary of State of the State of New York, 
accompanying the sword on its presentation. 

My reply to letter of Secretary of State. 

And a resolution of thanks from the Chamber of Commerce of New 
York. 

I also enclose a copy of the letter of the citizens of Buffalo trans- 
mitted with the gold box. The inscription on the box is as follows : 

LIEUTENANT JOHN L. WORDEN, U. S. N. 
From Citizens of Buffalo, N. Y., 

April 8th, 1862. 
'^Yoii beat the 'Merrimac^ and saved the 'Minnesota.''" 

Description.— Between the upper lines and the motto is a picture 
of the fight between the " Monitor" and " Merrimac," engraved on the 
lid of the box. 



43 

I have no knowledge of the amount or character of the tests to 
which the guns of the vessel had been put ; I only know that they had 
not been sufficiently tested to satisfy the Bureau of their endurance, 
and hence the order I received.* 

I am, dear sir, very truly yours, 

JOHN L. WORDEN. 
To E. P. Dorr, Esq., Buffalo, N. Y. 



JOINT RESOLUTIONS OF CONGRESS. 

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the U/iited States 
of America in Congress assembled : 

That the thanks of Congress and of the American people are due 
and are hereby tendered to Lieutenant John L. Worden, U. S. N., and 
to the officers and men of the iron-clad gun-boat " Monitor " under his 
command, for the skill and gallantry exhibited by them in the late 
remarkable battle between the " Monitor " and the rebel iron-clad 
steamer " Merrimac." 

" Sec. 2." Be it further 

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to 
cause this resolution to be communicated to Lieutenant Worden, and 
through him to the officers and men under his command. 

Approved July nth, 1872. 
(Vol. 12, p. 622.) 



THANKS FROM THE NAVY DEPARTMENT. 

Navy Department, March 15th, 1862. 

Sir, — The naval action which took place on the 9th inst. between the 
" Monitor " and the " Merrimac " at Hampton Roads, when your vessel 
with two guns engaged a powerful armored steamer of at least eight 
guns, and after a four-hours' conflict repelled her formidable antagonist, 
has excited general admiration and received the applause of the whole 
country. 

The President directs me, while earnestly and deeply sympathizing 
with you in the injuries which you have sustained, but which it is 



*I had asked him if the " Monitor's" guns had been sufficiently tested before her 
engagement with the "Merrimac." — Not'E by E. P. D. 



44 

believed are but temporary, to thank you and your command for tlie 
heroism you have displayed and the great service you have rendered. 

The action of the 9th, and the performance, power and capabilities 
of the " Monitor," must effect a radical change in naval warfare. 

Flag Officer Ooldsborough in your absence will be furnished by the 
Department with a copy of this letter of thanks, and instructed to 
cause it to be read to the officers and crew of the " Monitor." 
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

GIDEON WELLES. 
Lieut. John L. Worden, U. S. N., 

Commanding U. S. steamer " Monitor," Washington, D. C. 



PRESENTATION OF A SWORD BY THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 

State of New York, Assembly Chamber, 
Albany, April 23d, 1862. 
On motion of Mr. Coles, — 

Resolved, That the Secretary of the State cause a sword and its accou- 
trements, with a suitable inscription, to be manufactured and presented 
to that gallant son of the State of New York, Lieutenant John L. Wor- 
den, as a slight testimonial of his bravery in the late naval engagement 
at Hampton Roads. By order, 

J. B. CUSHMAN, Clerk. 



Office of the Secretary of State of the 
State of New York, 
Albany, December i6th, 1862. 
To Lieut. John L. Worden : 

Sir, — In accordance with the enclosed " resolution " of the Assembly, 
passed at the last session of the Legislature of the State of New York, 
and in behalf of the people of this State, the accompanying sword is 
presented to you as a memorial of your heroism and skill as com- 
mandant of the " Monitor " in^ the action with the " Merrimac," in 
Hampton Roads. You achieved a triumph there which is not surpassed 
even by the glories that already gild our naval renown. The timely arrival 
of the " Monitor " at the^scene of action was of such high importance as 
to make the^event one^of thejiiost remarkable in our annals. 

The " Cumberland " and the " Congress,"^two^of our^noblest frigates, 
were summarily destroyed by themailed monster. Our naval suprem- 



45 

acy seemed utterly prostrate. The public mind was overwhelmed with 
the magnitude of the danger impending over us. It was in this hour 
of trembling solicitude, and while the appalling carnage of the previous 
day filled every loyal heart with anguish and humiliation, that your 
noble " Monitor " was permitted by a kind Providence to surmount the 
perils of the deep and come to the rescue. And then ensued a struggle 
such as never had been witnessed in naval warfare — it was between two 
iron-clad antagonists. 

From the fleet, the Fortress and the adjacent shores thousands gazed 
upon the scene in painful anxiety. From morning till noon, the storm 
of battle continued, and the result lay trembling in the balance. But 
the heroic daring and consummate skill of Worden, with the genius of 
Ericsson, triumphed. 

The " Merrimac " was beaten. The battle was won. Our fleet was 
secured, and cities saved from the attacks of this terrible foe. Every 
loyal heart was electrified with joy. Gratitude for your illustrious 
services was manifested in Legislative halls and in all classes of society 
throughout the Union. 

Accept this sword, emblazoned with the record of that glorious day, 
as an off'ering from your native State, commemorative of your virtues, 
and as an emblem of the victory which has given you enduring fame. 
With sentiments of great regard, your obedient servant, 

(Signed) HORATIO BALLARD, 

Secretary of State. 



COMMANDER WORDEN S REPLY. 

New York, December, 1862. 

To Hon. Horatio Ballard, Sec'y of State of State of New York, 
Albany, N. Y. : 

To serve our country in any hour of peril has been my highest ambi- 
tion. I have looked fondly, in many distant climes, upon the emblem 
of lier greatness, power and glory floating from the masthead, and ever 
with the determination that it should never be sullied if my life could 
avert such a calamity. 

It is not surprising then, that, regarded as having v/on a tribute from 
my country and the approbation of my own gallant and patriotic State, 
I should feel that fame has nothing more to offer. These events, while 
they fill to the brim the measure of my happiness, only make me more 
sensible of the support which I received from the brave officers and 
men associated with me, and the heroism of the noble spirits who 



46 

less fortunate than myself, perished in the effort to save our flag from 
traitors. 

I am happy that the triumph to which you refer presents so grand an 
illustration of the great principle by which our nation is distinguished. 
The genius and skill of another land, fostered by our institutions, 
furnished the means by which, under the providence of God, I have 
been enabled to act a part for which, without such assistance, I would 
not have been qualified. 

The gratitude of our country is an honor for which men, far more 
deserving than myself, have often struggled in vain. That this should 
be deemed a reward for me, is a circumstance which I cannot mention 
without feeling that nothing less than the aid of heaven could have 
produced a result so gratifying. 

I am not unconscious that many of my brethren in the Navy, 
occupying my position, would have obtained the same end, or that 
thousands of our countrymen would have been overjoyed to have 
rendered the same assistance or service; but I hope I may be pardoned 
in rejoicing that the opportunity was given me to accomplish the 
greatest hope of my existence. For the kind manner in which you 
have presented this testimonial, I beg you to accept my thanks. 
I have the honor to be. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) JOHN L. WORDEN, 

Commander U. S. N. 



FROM THE NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. 

Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, 
New York, March 26th, 1862. 
Lieut. John L. Worden, U. S. Navy: 

Sir, — I have the pleasure of inclosing herewith a copy of resolu- 
tions complimentary to yourself, passed by this chamber on the 12th 
inst. Adding my hope that you may be speedily restored to your health 
and to the public service, 

I am, with high respect, your ob'd't servant, 

(Signed) J. SMITH HOMANS, 

Secretary. 



47 

Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, 
New York, March 12th, 1862. 

At a special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce this day, the 
following preamble and resolution were adopted: 

Whereas, It is proper that this Chamber should express its approba- 
tion on occasions of great acts of heroism; and, 

Whereas, Lieut. Commander John L. Worden, U. S. N., on board of 
the "Monitor" steam battery, then untried and just arrived from a 
perilous passage, engaged a vessel of war five times the size of the 
" Monitor," and four times her power of armament, this vessel being 
then engaged in the destruction of our ships of war; and, 

Whereas, The "Monitor," handled with great skill and gallantry 
did succeed in driving off the " Merrimac;" therefore, 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Chamber be presented to Lieut, 
Commanding John L. Worden, his officers and crew, for the great skill 
and daring shown by them in the recent conflict with the rebel steamer 
" Merrimac." 

Chamber of Commerce, 

New York, March 18, 1862. 

I certify that the preceding is a true copy of preamble and resolu- 
tion adopted by the Chamber of Commerce, March 12th, 1862. 

J. SMITH HOMANS, 

Seo-etary. 



A GOLD BOX FROM THE CITIZENS OF BUFFALO. 

Zzei/t John L. Worden, United States Navy : 

SiR,^The undersigned, citizens of Buffalo, New York, ask your 
a.cceptance of the accompanying box, in token of their respect and 
admiration of the gallantry and heroism displayed by yourself, as com- 
mander of the " Monitor," in her desperate, but triumphant, conflict 
with the " Merrimac," in Hampton Roads, on the 9th day of March 
ultimo. 

We sincerely congratulate you, sir, upon the good fortune which has 
given you a place among the heroes of your country ; and we as sin- 
cerely congratulate the service to which you belong upon the laurels 
which it has acquired through your skill, courage and persistence. 

The work of a few exciting and perilous hours has rendered your 
name illustrious, — " Not for a day, but for all time." 



48 



That you may speedily and completely recover from the injuries 
received during that terrific combat, in which your bravery was tried, 
as in a crucible, and found to be pure and perfect metal, is the fervent 
prayer of your friends and fellow citizens, 



Dean Richmond, 
E. P. Dorr, 
Frank Perew, 
H. E. Howard, 
R. C. Palmer, 
John L. Jewett, 
E. W. Ensign, 
Geo. W. Holt, 
J. M. Richmond, 
Thos. D. Dole, 
J. M. GWINN, 
D. S. Bennett, 
O. L. NiMS, 

Buffalo, N. Y., 



Millard Fillmore, 
Alex. W. Harvey, 
John Allen, Jr., 
J. N. Dorr, 
D. P. Dobbins, 
Jason Parker, 
H. A. Frink, 
James D. Sawyer, 
A. T. Blackmar, 
A. Sherwood, 
P. L. Sternberg, 
John H. Vought, 
a. w. horton, 
H. B. Fleming, Capt. U. S. 

April 8th, 1862. 



Wm. G. Fargo, 
Wm. Monteath, 
R. Wheeler, 
Wm. B. Peck, 

A. J. Rich, 
Geo. C. White, 
C. Ensign, 

B. Montgomery, 
G. B. Gates, 

L. H. Rumrill, 
Myron P. Bush, 
Sheldon Pease, 
Wm. Petri e. 



A. 



NOTES REFERRING TO THE ''MONITOR:' 

BY ALBAN C. STIMERS. 

There were two engines 40 inches diameter of cylinder by 26 inches 
stroke of pistons. 

When the fires were managed with skill, the engines would make 80 
revolutions per minute, and the vessel eight knots an hour in smooth 
water. Six knots was, however, her common speed. 

Left New York harbor on the 6th day of March, 1862 ; weather fine, 
with a fresh wind, so much so that as soon as we were outside of Sandy 
Hook the sea washed over the deck so deeply that it was not consid- 
ered safe to permit the men to go on deck, the top of the tun-et only 
being available. This was 20 feet diameter by 9 feet high. 

The next day there was a tremendous gale with a high sea running. 
There were two wooden gunboats with us as convoys ; these rolled so 
much that when they rolled from us we could see under the bilge, and 
when toward us, could see down the main hatch. The motion of tlie 
" Monitor " was so easy and quiet that a glass inkstand stood upon a 



49 

polished mahogany case on the table in the Captain's cabin during the 
entire voyage without slipping. The sea washed over the deck, how- 
ever, in the most terrific manner ; the only inconvenience from this was 
that the water came down the air pipes which supplied the blowers, 
causing the belt to break and the stoppage of the blowers • also, 
causing the gases of the furnace fires to flow out of the ash-pan doors 
into the engine room and thence throughout the vessel, driving all 
hands to the top of the turret. The steam went down and the 
engines were stopped during four hours. Many of the firemen and all 
the engineers were so asphyxiated that the lives of some of them were 
despaired of 

During the night following, the wire wheel-ropes came off the wheel 
and all hands were occupied most of the night in steering, by hauling 
on the ropes by hand, and getting on the wheel again. 

On the morning of the 8th, and during the day, the weather was 
calm and the sea smooth. At two P. M. we heard the guns of the 
"Merrimac'' in her conflict with the wooden vessels, and as we 
approached at night could see the broadsides of fire. We surmised 
correctly the situation, and cleared for action, expecting the enemy 
would come out on her way North, a trip we intended to prevent if it 
was in our power. 

We arrived off Fortress Monroe at nine o'clock in the evening of 
the 8th, and the Captain and myself spent the evening on board the 
" Roanoke," as she was commanded by the senior naval officer present 
in those waters. Captain Marston. There we learned the state of 
affairs, and went up to Newport News and anchored near the frigate 
" Minnesota," which was aground, and which we were ordered to 
protect from the assaults of the enemy the next morning. We finally 
anchored there at two o'clock A. M. of the 9th. 

The guns on the " Monitor" were Dahlgren, eleven-inch shell guns, 
weighing 16,000 pounds each. There were two. We threw cast-iron 
solid shot, spherical, weighing 168 pounds each, with a charge of 15 
pounds of powder. 

The engagement commenced at eight o'clock in the morning and 
lasted until one o'clock in the afternoon. We were struck twenty-one 
times, eight times on the side armor, twice on the pilot-house, seven 
times on the turret, and four times on the deck. None of these were 
injurious, except one of those on the pilot-house; this broke one of 
the iron beams of which it was formed, and placed the Captain hors 
dc combat. 

He was the only person wounded, though several were knocked 
down by leaning against the inside of the turret while a shot from the 
4 



50 

enemy struck the outside in the vicinity. I was one of these, but as I 
was only touching my hand, I immediately jumped up again, while 
those who were leaning their shoulder against it were senseless for a 
couple of hours, and then greatly excited during a couple more. 

Very truly yours, 

AT.BAN C. STIMERS. 



ST A TEMENT RE LA TING TO '' AIERRIMAC;' ETC. 

BY CAPTAIN JAMES BYERS. 

Captain James Byers, of Buffalo, N. Y., was at Norfolk from Sept., 
i860, to the Sth day of May, 1862, Master of steam tug " J. B. White," 
built at Buffalo by Geo. Notter. He was employed by the contractors 
building the Albemarle Canal. The "Merrimac" was sunk by the 
Federals near the Navy Yard, previous to the evacuation of Norfolk, 
to avoid her falling into the hands of the Confederates. She was raised 
for the Confederates by Baker Bros., wreckers, and put into the dock 
at Norfolk, cut down and fitted up — a heavy frame of wood covered 
with heavy plate iron. They worked on her night and day. She was 
armed with four heavy guns on each side, one on bow and one aft — • 
ten heavy guns in all. 

She went out on Saturday, the Sth of March, 1862, under command 
of Admiral Buchanan, and sunk the "Cumberland" and "Congress" 
on that date. I saw the fight from the deck of my steamer. She also 
exchanged shots with the " Minnesota," which was aground on the 
middle ground in Hampton Roads, half way between Sewefl's Point 
and Newport News. The " Merrimac " could have easily destroyed 
the " Minnesota" on Saturday (March 8th), but they did not wish to 
harm her — she would be too valuable to them as a prize. They felt 
sure of her on the morrow, with all the other craft in the " Roads " and 
at anchor off Fortress Monroe. 

The "Merrimac " retired for the night, and anchored off Sewell's Point 
until next morning. In her encounter with the "Cumberland" and 
" Congress," a shot from one of the guns of the " Cumberland " entered 
the muzzle of the bow gun of the " Merrimac," bursting the gun and 
killing seven men. 

Sunday, March 9th, the " Merrimac " hove up and steamed out to 
" finish up " the work of destruction and capture left undone the 



51 

day before. The day was clear and pleasant, the sun shining brightly, 
with little or no wind. Some Confederate officers and citizens of Nor- 
folk came on board my steamer at Norfolk, and ordered me to get 
under way and run out to see the " Merrimac " finish up. We ran 
down off Craney Island, and from our deck saw the fight between the 
" Monitor " and " Merrimac." The Confederates were all in high 
spirits, anticipating an easy victory. They talked very freely over the 
mission and marked programme of the " Merrimac." She was to cap- 
ture the " Minnesota " and all the vessels in the Roads, and then to pro- 
ceed to New York and other Eastern cities. There was no doubt about 
the result, and that slie would go where she wished, with impunity to 
herself 

We had been off Craney Island about half an hour, in plain sight of 
Hampton Roads and the different craft there. We saw the "Merrimac," 
and presently the "Monitor" came out and attacked her. We could 
not tell what the " Monitor " was — nothing had ever been known of 
her in Norfolk, and it was all speculation what she was. The fight was 
watched with great interest. Soon there began to be doubts about the 
result. Some Confederate officers who had been down netirer than we 
were, came back, and in passing told us that the unknown craft was a 
" ivicked t/ii/ig," and we better not get too near her. One of the shots 
from one of the combatants came skipping over the water very near us, 
from nearly a mile distant. 

We stayed there until the fight was over. The " Merrimac " came 
back into the river badly disabled, and almost in a sinking condition. 
Tugs had to be used to get her into the dry dock at the Navy Yard, the 
crew pumping and bailing water with all their might to keep her afloat. 
I saw her in the dock at Norfolk next day, was on board of her and 
made a personal examination of the ship. The effect of the " Moni- 
tor's " guns upon the " Merrimac " was terrible. Her plated sides were 
broken in, the iron plating rent and broken, the massive timbers of her 
sides crushed ; and the officers themselves stated that she could not 
have withstood the effect of the " Monitor's " guns any longer, and that 
ihey barely escaped in time from her.* 

The " Merrimac " lay in dry dock repairing and strengthening for six 
weeks, when she was again put afloat under the command of Admiral 
Tattnall. After the " Merrimac " was repaired and came out of dock, 
the only thing she did was to form part of an expedition to go out into 
the Roads to attempt to capture the " Monitor." The expedition was 



* This was the time when the " Monitor" retired a few minutes to get some more 
shot from below into the turret. — Note by E. P. D. 



0- 

made up of the " Merrimac" and two tugs, manned by thirty vokuiteers 
on each tug-boat. They were all armed and provided with iron wedges 
and top mauls and tar balls. The plan was to board her, a tug on each 
side landing the men, and throwing lighted tar balls down through the 
ventilators and wedge up the turret so it would not revolve. They took 
my steamer as one of the boats, but I refused to command her or go 
with her. The " Monitor," luckily for them, did not come out over the 
bar to give them a chance to try the experiment. The pounding which 
the "Monitor" gave the "Merrimac'' the latter never recovered from. 
They lost faith in her. 

I ran the blockade on the 8th day of May, 1862, escaping Avith my 
steamer, the " J. B. White," to Fortress Monroe, where I met President 
Tincoln with some of his Cabinet, giving him the first information he 
had of the true state of affairs at Norfolk, and the preparations made 
by the rebels to evacuate it. 

Admiral Tattnall blew up the "Merrimac'' oft" Craney Island shortly 
afterwards — a fitting end to a gallant but unfortunate ship in the service, 
she was last engaged in. 

JAMES BYERS. 






LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



009 069 866 7 




